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Wednesday, 21 September 2011

In 2011 Frantzén/Lindeberg was named “restaurant of the year” by the prestigious White Guide and ranked 57 on ”The S.Pellegrino World’s 100 Best Restaurants 2011”. It also sports two Michelin stars!

The restaurant is located in historic OldTown and gastronomy buffs from Stockholm and beyond are fighting over the tables. Eating here is a sensory experience with a touch of humor. Chefs Björn Frantzén and Daniel Lindeberg serves up fresh ingredients from the restaurant's own garden to create culinary artistry with intriguing surprises such as the dessert "burger" where the bun is a macaroon, the burger is made of chocolate and the lettuce is a slice of mint. The surprises continue with the sommelier-selected drink package that pairs pre-selected wines with specific food courses.

For an unforgettable evening event, Frantzén/Lindeberg can accommodate groups of up to 12 people in its "chambre separé". It features its own entrance, bar and sommelier. The restaurant is also awarded with 2 star "Cru Beverage Selection Award" for its great selection of wines and beverages that goes perfectly with its food.

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

Cognac named after the town of Cognac in France, is a variety of brandy. It is produced in the wine-growing region surrounding the town from which it takes its name, in the French Departements of Charente and Charente-Maritime.

As an Appellation d'origine contrôlée, in order to bear the name Cognac, the production methods for the distilled brandy must meet specified legal requirements. It must be made from certain grapes; of these, Ugni Blanc, known locally as Saint-Emilion, is the most widely used variety today.It must be distilled twice in copper pot stills and aged at least two years in French oak barrels from Limousin or Tronçais. Most cognacs are aged considerably longer than the minimum legal requirement, because cognac matures in the same way as whiskies and wine when aged in a barrel.

My 3 cognac recommendations:

Courvoisier Napoleon Fine Champagne (5 of 5)

The artistry behind the blending of this complex cognac brings out its signature old port, prune, and orange blossom notes. The maturity of the blends from the Grande and Petite Champagne crus, matured up to 20 years, has made Courvoisier Napoleon Fine Champagne Cognac the classic reference for connoisseurs.

No Systembolaget: Not available

Cost: Around 700 SEK

Packaging: 750 ml

Delamain Vesper Aged 35 years (5 of 5)

Some say that this is one of the worlds best Cognac brands and provides the Rolls Royce of Cognac to its drinkers. Ageing for 35 years in barrels gives this cognac its golden-amber hue. It has a bouquet of ripe fruit, herbs, spices and dry wood, incredibly smooth with a very, very long finish.

No Systembolaget: 86646

Cost: 989 SEK

Packaging: 700 ml

Grönstedts XO Cognac (3,5 of 5)

It is very rare to sell great value prices of XO cognac around the world, however if anyone has done a good cognac for a great price then it is Grönstedt. There is also a Christmas edition that sells out every year.

Thursday, 1 September 2011

This wine is one of my favourites from New Zeeland. Usually when I go for New Zeeland wine I choose Sauvignon Blanc and if I by any chance would have a Gewürztraminer, it would be something from Alsace, France. But Lawson’s Dry Hills gives you a wonderful and amazingly good Gewurztraminer that is long lasting and dynamic in flavours.

The wine brings you bright pale straw colour with slight greenish tinge around the edges and watery hue. The nose delivers an intense sniff with lifted top notes of musk and rose petal followed by some lychee and a hint of honeysuckle spice. Showing strong varietal character the palate is thick and rich with good balanced acidity. Mouthfilling flavours of lychee, rose petal and musk followed by some spice. Clean finish. Excellent concentration with long lychee, spice and honeysuckle aftertaste.
Drink over the next 2 years